And yes, why is their technology so clunky and nonsensical? :)

Because TPTB didn't think it through properly beforehand. Well, they're all evolving separate bits of technology, and not sharing, and stealing from one another and patching it together... I'd've thought that a remote would be fairly standard, though. Keyed to the use of only those with naquadah in their blood, probably

I think that Nirrti at least should have one - if she can install a permanent one, no doubt a woman of her talents could create a smaller, more portable version. She wouldn't share it, though. :)